POOL

Side Sounds is a collection of poolside playlists, curated by local and international Artists, DJs and tastemakers inspired by the places they swim.

#001: Mildlife

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This edition had been curated by the internationally acclaimed and ARIA award-winning group MILDLIFE. The compilation is inspired by the raw surroundings of Dimmicks Beach, a quiet and secluded spot along the Mornington Peninsula that abounds with rock pools and beautiful natural rock formations. Spanning from Balearic through to Berlin School, which lends itself to a day by the beach, lounging by the pool, or cruising down the coast.

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Mildlife 2021.

#002: Squaring Circles

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For the second edition of POOL SIDESOUNDS, we introduce Brendan Anderson of progressive psych-electronic music group, Squaring Circles. An inspired encyclopaedic playlist, designed to take listeners on an 8-hour journey ranging from 60’s and Brazilian funk, jazz, acid jazz, psych and then all the way over into deep house, techno and everything in between. "This selection was created under the fantasy of having this spot for one day all to yourself and a little intimate crew," says Anderson. 

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Squaring Circles, 2022

#003: Simon TK

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This edition's guest playlist is by Simon TK – a DJ, creator and originator, co-founder of SKYLAB RADIO and the legendary “Wax’o Paradiso” open-air parties. A musical curator with impeccable taste for over a decade, TK's vision has been a driving force behind Melbourne’s party scene. His playlist is inspired by a subtropical rainforest in the Sierra Gorda mountains in Mexico called Las Pozas or “The Pools”. The magical place was built roughly 40 years ago by famous surrealist Edward James in an attempt to create a surrealist Garden of Eden. Las Pozas sprawls over 80 acres of dense forest, twisting psychedelic architectural structures and a network of natural waterfalls and pools. TK explains that “I was in my early 20s travelling through South and Central America, and decided to take a solo trip to visit the pools. It was a beautiful day with dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. I spent the day bathing in the pools, wandering and exploring the various structures, like huge free-standing concrete spiral staircases leading nowhere. At one point I saw a wild armadillo cruise past me.” The mix lends itself to lounging and relaxing by the pool and even some light pool party fun times. “There’s a bit of everything, new age, lovers rock, contemporary soul, psych-rock, IDM, and some Santana for good measure. I was falling in love with Balearic culture at the time I visited Las Pozas, which is fitting. It’s a style of eclectic and considered DJing originating in the mid-1980s in the Ibizan rave heyday. It is literally beautiful music to be enjoyed by the water, a perfect fit for a surrealist pool in a jungle paradise”

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Skylab Co-founder and Wax'o Paradiso DJ, Simon TK

#004: Nick Murray

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This edition of POOL SIDESOUNDS is curated by Nick Murray of Otologic – the DJ duo known far and wide as some of Australia's most respected selectors, and the brains behind one of Melbourne's most iconic dance event providers, Animals Dancing. For over a decade, Murray has been a regular DJ around Melbourne's most iconic clubs and hosted some of the most influential artists from around the world whilst curating their eponymous monthly residency on the renowned global radio station, NTS Radio. Fresh off the back of Animals Dancing's long-awaited return event for some time, Murray has appropriately curated a 3hr selection dubbed "Pool Party Lite". The playlist draws inspiration from a swim in Palm Springs, but he maintains "the idea was it is meant for any poolside listen. The selection was programmed to listen from start to finish, ideal for a 3 hour afternoon poolside session, but not any longer! It is what I would want to listen to by the pool, approachable to all guests, chill but not sleepy.” says Murray.  “There is a good portion of digi and dub groovers, a touch of house and ends with some emotional balearica timed for sunset." With the events sector back up in full swing, Otologic has multiple events planned throughout the year and will be launching a new label later in 2022, alongside two new record releases coming out on the Animals Dancing label, which is something to keep a very keen eye out for. 

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Otologic and Animals Dancing co-creator, Nick Murray (Left)

#005: Noise In My Head

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Noise in My Head is the brainchild of Michael Kucyk, a legend in Australia’s subterranean music scene. Impeccable selector, former 3RRR and NTS radio host and current founder of the label Efficient Space, his ‘freeform sonic excursion’ introduced a generation to rare finds, unexplored genres and artists from around the globe. Kucyk has always treaded the line of if-you-know-you-know status. For this edition, Kucyk has curated a decompression session centred around a "late-night swim at home."

“I wanted to do something different as I’m generally in a pretty introspective listening mood these days. I tried to keep it always flowing – jazz into dream-pop, into reggae/dub, into Latin American magic, into folk rock, into loner garage” explains Kucyk. “Incidentally, there are a lot of references to the sun but it's best listened to alone in the dark, in a body of water” Throughout his radio show, NIMH brought together producers, DJs, and selectors from all over the world, establishing connections between Australia, Japan, Germany, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United States and beyond. Before ending its objective in November 2018, the carefully curated show was broadcast on London digital institution NTS. ”Noise In My Head was first and formally a radio show that ran for 13 years. It was never one thing, constantly shape-shifting as I breathed in my surroundings and shared new discoveries (often via a network of friends). I use the NIMH handle to DJ a few times a year, but these days Efficient Space absorbs all my focus.” Predominantly devoted to rescuing recordings from history’s cracks and crevices while making select ventures into modern music, the imprint has released Yolngu songmen Waak Waak Djungi, fashion photographer-turned-blues guitarist Steve Hiett, and dub mystic YL Hooi.

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NIMH and Efficient Space founder, Michael Kucyk

#006: Edd Fisher

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In this edition of Side Sounds, journey with us on a sonorous excursion to the breathtaking Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) located in Australia's Northern Territory. The handpicked playlist, expertly curated by renowned Australian DJ and curator Edd Fisher, captures the essence of this awe-inspiring location and offers listeners a glimpse of its sonic landscape. 

Edd Fisher is a revered figure in the dance music scene known for his immaculate attention to detail and unmatched passion for creating immersive musical experiences. As the co-founder of Melbourne’s Wax’o Paradiso, Fisher has garnered a reputation as a versatile and talented selector with an eclectic musical range that encompasses the cosmic balearica, charging industrial machine music, and the soaring vocals of disco legends. 

Nestled in Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia, Maguk or Barramundi Gorge is a natural marvel that remains a hidden gem. It can be accessed via a 3.5-hour drive from Darwin and a short 1km walk through lush jungle-like vegetation along a sandy creek with beaches. Once there, visitors are rewarded with a stunning view of a main pool surrounded by towering rock faces and a waterfall at the far end. 

Fisher's playlist artfully captures the essence of this awe-inspiring locale with a thoughtfully curated selection of tracks that evoke the sound and spirit of the place. As Fisher attests, "Maguk is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. The main pool is surrounded by stunning rock faces with a waterfall at the far end. We spent the best part of a day there swimming and jumping off the rocks with nothing but the sounds of running water and wildlife.”

Featuring an exquisite blend of classic tracks and new discoveries, Edd's playlist is a masterclass in setting the mood, with each track building on the last to create a sense of total immersion. As Fisher explains, "These are some of my favourite atmospheric, ambient, and downtempo tracks. They're the perfect soundtrack for a lazy day by the pool, or for exploring the natural beauty of a place like Maguk." 

As the Australian summer draws to a close, Edd and the Wax’o Paradiso crew are getting ready for a series of special events at Rising Festival as well as some tour dates in Asia, the UK and Europe. Wax’o Paradiso Recordings is also set to release its 4th record from local duo Hybrid Man, the year ahead looks bright.

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Edd Fisher